Bose : His dream and Ideology

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This is a summary of the book Bose : His Dream and Ideology, a translation by Sreemati Ghosh. 

Propaganda or sending out wrong information is a special characteristic of modern times. This tool was invented in the Second world War. It became even more dangerous when it was started being used by the Government of India. 

The history of the revolutionaries and their contributions to the freedom struggle were systematically edited out of the Indian textbooks, and effectively, Indian memories. Unquestionably, one of the biggest names among the revolutionaries was that of Subhash Chandra Bose. 

A New Awareness about Netaji

Chalo Delhi! Once upon a time, this battle cry was in the air. The men forming Azad HInd Fouz voiced this slogan to free India from the British Raj. After many years, the sword bearing all the gallantry of the Azad Hind Fouz, named 'Shan e Hind' arrived at the heart of Delhi. But Netaji did not come back.

The central government at the capital of India, Delhi had promised to accept the sword of the 'Mahakhatriya' with full honour. They kept their promise. The president of India, Dr. Zakir Hussain, came to accept and celebrate the arrival of  'The Sword'. It was placed on the stage, the historic Deewani Aam.

Netaji's sword was honoured at the national level. Still, the author felt that Netaji did not get as much prominence and honour as some other leaders. Is it true that the light she saw in Netaji's eyes still inspired Indira Gandhi two decades later? Why Netaji's birthday is still not celebrated all over India?What happened to Netaji? Why didn't he come back to India?

The Central Government's cold attitude towards Netaji is changing. A new awareness about Netaji is on the rise among the people of India. Still, a lot of work needs to be done. After Lord Ramachandra's shoes came back to India, Rama came back too. But Netaji did not come back. The author hoped that one day we will come to know why Netaji did not come back.

Mahakhatriya Subhash Chandra

Netaji was the 'Mahakhatriya' which means he was a brave warrior. He can be compared with Biswamitra, who was a warrior but a Brahmin inside. Similarly, Subhash Bose was a warrior but he was a sanyasi inside.

Netaji looked at life from Vivekananda's perspective. Vivekananda was a Vedantic scholar. Vivekananda loved the humans and the soil of India. India was like the abode of Gods for Swamiji. Vivekananda was the worshipper of strength. Netaji called himself 'The Indian Pilgrim'. Netaji was not against the principles of peaceful negotiation or non violence. But Subhash thought that India was very neutral and everything was stagnant. So, Netaji wanted to strongly inspire the Indians to become lively and strong. He was a believer in the dharma of a kshatriya.

He had immense leadership quality. He had a fiery and magnetic personality. In other words, he was the greatest of all Indian warriors of the modern times, the 'Mahakhatriya'. Today, it is our national duty to present Netaji as the most significant example of a great leader for the Indian Army.

We should not forget the fact that Netaji's military attack resulted in the revolt that happened in the Indian Navy at the end of the World War. His military attack did inspire a great love for the motherland, within the Indian Army.

The Indian Pilgrim

Netaji said, "I want my life to blossom in its full expression and then I want to surrender myself at the lotus feet of Bharatmata. I want to live my life again and again to solemnly promise the same vows. I was inspired by this ideology of Swamiji. I did not take up my service to the country and its people as my profession."

Subhash Chandra Bose was inspired by Gandhiji's idea of Satyagraha. In 1940, he also pledged to fast until death unless their words were heard by the British Raj. He wrote a letter to the British government to express his philosophical ideas. He wrote, "In this world, everything is going towards decay. But dreams and ideas get carried on by generations after generation. A man can die while following his dreams but in the meanwhile his ideas can influence the minds of others. This is the 'dharma' of our soul. today I am ready to give up my life to  save my motherland. we have to win our glorious freedom."

The pilgrimage named Bharat was his dreamland. He said, "I am running a risk of being identified as a verbose person, but I reiterate that India has some new ideas. There is nothing mysterious about these messages. India must contribute something new to the evolving culture of this new world."

He said, "The waves of Marxism have reached India. Some people have become agitated with the advent of these ideas. They think that this country will become a developed nation  where the economic condition will be similar  to Russia, if they follow the ideas of communist Russia. I want to tell everyone clearly that I oppose that idea. It will be foolish to blindly copy the system of another country. In his book, "India's Struggle for Freedom", he clearly stated that India will never follow the Russian system.

Karl Marx

Bose said, "In the seventeen hundreds England taught the world various democratic ideas and values. France inspired the world with similar values. France also helped in peace negotiations. In the nineteenth century Germany presented the world with Karl Marx's ideas. In the twentieth century, Russia formed a proletariat society. India will have to create a good example of presenting a refined culture to the world."

This dream and belief inspired Netaji to pursue his goal. He lived his life as the Indian Pilgrim.

The Dream of an Indian Pilgrim

In no other country of this world, the ideas of nationalism, national unity , and the values of love for one's motherland develop from such a deep realization of the soul of her own culture. Only in Bharatvarsha, patriotism developed from an intense and passionate feeling. India is a beautiful country from a geographical aspect but the feeling of being an Indian does not arise from the geographical position of the country nor it does not arise from the political definition. For the past two thousand years, a land of soil, water and humans was described as a motherland better than the heavenly abode. Many dwellers of this land feel this way from the bottom of their hearts. The feelings of being an Indian are deep rooted.

Sankaracharya established four temples at the North, South, East and West points of India. Fifty eight temples were erected at various sites within India. The rivers like Ganga, Jamuna , Narmada and Godawari were mentioned in the everyday worship mantras.

In various songs, the northern and southern parts of India were mentioned in a united way. The ideas of nationalism were thus included in  many songs. Swami Vivekananda was the first man to inspire Indians with the ideas of nationalism. Subhash Chandra Bose was an ardent follower of Swamiji. His speeches carried the same spiritual messages as Swamiji.

When Subhash Chandra Bose heard about Lord Wavell's discussion to partition India into two parts India and Pakistan(East and West), he was in Rangoon. He was deeply hurt and perturbed by the action taken by British administrators. His speeches were transmitted by radio. He said, "I am very much against the partitioning of India. I do not want anybody to divide India into two parts. Our divine motherland should not be divided."

Many ancient cultures of this world have been converted into skeletal old relics but Indian culture is still vibrant. Netaji said, "India has a mission to fulfil, Indian civilization is still alive. The old civilizations of Babylon, Greece and Egypt died. Indian civilization has undergone many changes throughout history but did not perish. This is a very interesting phenomenon in the history of humankind.

He wanted the young minds of the youth to dream about building a strong, self-sufficient nation. we should make Netaji's ideals about life our own ideals. Let the life of young Indians become lively and vibrant. Let the ideas of Indian nationalism win the hearts of all Indians and fulfil the dreams of Netaji, our great 'Indian pilgrim'.

Netaji, the Messenger of Swami Vivekananda

Swami Vivekananda and Netaji were the messengers of God for the new awakening of patriotism and nationalism in India. They were two great souls born to Mother India to give philosophical guidance to the Indians. The thought processes and principles of work were the same for both of these men. One cannot analyze the glories of Subhash Chandra without understanding the life of Vivekananda.

Vivekananda's contribution is yet to be fully evaluated. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the man who became the origin of the new revolutionary imaginations and ideas was Swami Vivekananda. Swamiji kindled the minds of Indians with a sense of pride in being an Indian national. Vivekananda was the man who inspired the people of India to hold their heads high and say, "I am Indian". That is why, Swamiji can be called 'the Father of the Indian Renaissance'.

Netaji's opinion was similar to Swamiji. He criticized the materialist lifestyle of the western world. Many wealthy people in the western part of the world immerse themselves in living a life of luxury. Netaji said that many civilizations have perished over the centuries but the Indian civilization has undergone many changes without changing the basic principles of life as described in the Vedas and Vedanta.

For Vivekananda, according to sister Nivedita, "The Queen of his adoration was his motherland." Similarly, for Netaji, politics was not his profession - to serve and love his motherland came as a deep and passionate feeling from within.

Vivekananda, and Subhash Chandra were great revolutionaries. No obstruction or criticism could stop these men from moving forward with their ideas. The Vedantic monks criticized Vivekananda for having his very own set of ideas. Vivekananda strongly believed in the ideas of Karma Yoga. He believed in giving equal rights to women. He believed in granting equality to the low-caste people of India.

Vivekananda was against the caste system in India. He called upon the people of India to make reforms in the social structure to improve the lives of people. Netaji had a similar vision. Netaji also wanted to bring about changes in the caste system and restructure Indian society. He did not agree with India turning back to the Vedic era where caste system was in practice.

Subhash Chandra's voice was strongly heard. He said, "Only simple reform is not enough. India needs to undergo a drastic change in many spheres."

Swami Vivekananda scolded the upper caste people of India in a thunderous voice.

"Maybe you read the Vedas and I am mending shoes, but what does it matter? This is just a difference in work."

"Let the caste system end and let a new India emerge! Let them come out with their scythe, let them come out from the poor farmer's hut, a fisherman's hut, a gardener, shoe mender and janitor's dwelling. Let them come out of their grocery store. Let them come out from the factory and the marketplace. Let them emerge from the forest and the hills. They all have a strong will to live. They can turn the world around with a handful of grains to eat. they can become more energetic with a piece of bread to eat."

Netaji said, "We have to build a new nation based on the values of our ancient civilization and our past achievements." He also said, "The book of life for independent India will be based on the ideas of the Western world that are good for everyone."

Swami Vivekananda preached the doctrine of 'Shaktivad'. He was always trying to kindle the fiery spirit of the Indians. Swamiji told the family men that if someone slapped them on their face, they should not take the humiliation - they should retaliate. A man must be courageous and religious at the same time. Swamiji always stood for 'Shaktivad' - in other words 'Be always gallant and never stoop your head down'. He wanted men to protest against injustice.

Netaji always talked about the same 'Shaktivad' to be applied in the work lives of Indians. In his initial stages of revolutionary life, Netaji even expressed criticism for the dwellers of Sabarmati ashram and the Pondicherry ashram. He defined the as nonchalant and not taking too much action against the British Raj. Netaji said, "Today India needs a philosophy of activism."

The Indian pilgrim, Netaji wrote in his autobiography, "I was eagerly looking for ideologies to inspire my life and work. I found all the guidance in the speeches and writings of Vivekananda. I can now dedicate my life to following this ideology. I was only fifteen years old - I went through a great transformation. Vivekananda entered my life."

Netaji's Political Ideology

Politics is not a profession - it is an ideology to serve one's own country sincerely, honestly and selflessly. Netaji accepted his political life with these ideas. Netaji never thought that politics will bring him respect, money and stability and thus establish a political career. Gandhiji defined politics as a religious belief. Similarly, Netaji called politics his 'Collective Sadhana'

Netaji said, "I have not accepted politics as a temporary career. I want my life to blossom with its full potential and then I want to dedicate my life to serving Mother India. I was inspired by this idealism. This ideology is my life's ultimate goal."

In his own words, Netaji said, "I must confess that I do indulge in dreaming about building a great nation, India. I love to dream. These dreams are live truths for me. I get my inspiration from these dreams. I get the strength for working towards my goal. I cannot continue to live without dreaming about bringing changes to my motherland.

When the mind of a political leader is illuminated by a lighted path of ideology, then the desire to become famous or the desire to be recognized cannot tempt him to do his work. He may have to encounter oppression and criticism resulting in sadness but he still feels satisfied that he has completed his job. Then, like Netaji, he can say, "We must live from within. There is a deep feeling of satisfaction and peace, in acting from the emotional appeals that come from within oneself."

Netaji talked to his co-workers about the origin of his joyous feelings. He said, "The source of my joy is in following my dream and ideology, dedicating myself selflessly to a great cause. If a person experiences sufferings while following the difficult path of being a revolutionary, at the end of achieving his goals, all the suffering gets converted to joy. The joy he experiences gets carried in his blood and makes him a very strong person. A man who can surrender himself to his dreams and ideals can only find the true meaning of living his life."

Netaji analyzed the nature of a true leader and said, "The number one quality for becoming a great leader is to be unselfish. If he thinks of gaining or profiting from a political career then that kind of a leader can harm the development of a country. Instead of developing, the country can suffer losses. If the leader thinks about selfish gains only then he should be eliminated. Leaders who are concerned with the fate of a nation should be wholeheartedly humanist.

Secondly, the leader must be able to feel the emotions of the public. Then the public emotion will be reflected in the thoughts and speeches of the leader, but the ideas of the leader should be clear. The ideology should not be guarded by any superstition.

Thirdly, an analysis of history, culture and religion is needed. Then the leader should come up with rational ideas."

Netaji's Political Sadhana

For Netaji, politics was not a career to earn fame, honor, gain financial profit or establish oneself. It was like "Sadhana". He meditated on political ideas day after day - how to serve his fellow citizens after India wins its independence from the British Raj. The sage ran away to the wooded area and renounced material life. But Netaji came back in disguise to help the Indian politics from behind the curtain. 

The core idea behind his endeavour was to bring about social change but on many occasions he felt unwelcome in politics. Then it was not possible for him to bring about all the changes that he dreamt about. When politics becomes a pathway designed by a young and energetic mind, then a great change happens. Nowadays revolutionary ideas have become stagnant because many politicians have become professionals. Gandhiji evaluated politics in terms of religion and Netaji gave the ideas of service. If the people of India want to fulfill the dream of Netaji, then they must become more emotional rather than superficial and emotional.

Netaji's Birthplace - His Motherland

Netaji did not think of his birthplace as just a vast stretch of fertile land. For him, this ancient land was his holy motherland. The general definition of patriotism is not enough to describe Subhash Bose's deep love for his motherland. The Himalayan mountain beckoned Netaji to live at a mountainous ashram  and practise spirituality.

Unlike our great spiritual leaders Gautam Buddha and Vivekananda, Netaji decided to live in the plain lands and serve his countrymen. He believed in the existence of God in all humans. For him, serving humans was equivalent to serving God. He wanted the people of India to prosper in life. He would find his political success if the people of India would prosper in their endeavours.

What is the true description of India? Is Bharatbarsha just a geographical landmass of fertile soil with rivers running through it? Is a strong loyalty towards this country just political patriotism? Sister Nivedita said, "Swami Vivekananda's queen of adoration was his motherland." Netaji adored his motherland in a similar way. Netaji loved his motherland with his mind, body and entire soul. Like Vivekananda, Netaji thought Bharatbarsha to be his 'Divine motherland'.

India's spirit will never die. India has been alive for many thousands of years. Vivekananda and Netaji's motherland must continue to live and contribute something to the entire world. In the name of following a path of non-violence, we have followed the path of least activity. We have to reawaken the spirit of India and move forward. We have to struggle to be liberated.

Netaji and India's Revolutionary Ideas

What significance do the revolutionary ideas have in Indian history? It can be said that if there is no place for revolutionary ideas in Indian history, then there is no place for Subhas Bose and his Azad Hind Fouz in that history of India.

Before Gandhiji became the leader of India's freedom struggle and his idea of non-cooperation with the British government became a way of freedom struggle, revolutionary activities were the primary mode of action for winning freedom. The Revolt of 1857 was the beginning of the war of independence. After the protest actions against dividing Bengal, the revolutionary activities became terrorist actions meant to organize an upheaval against the British Raj, and finally a military uprising.

During the First World War, Jotindranath led a revolutionary uprising all over India. After 1921, Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das led the Bengali revolutionaries to get involved in the Non-Cooperation Movement. Some revolutionaries carried on with their activities secretly. Some revolutionaries carried on with their activities secretly.

Subhash Chandra was influenced by the revolutionaries of Bengal. As a student, living in England, Subhash Bose thoroughly read the history of revolution in many countries of the world. He came to the conclusion that to win control of the administration of a country, a strong revolutionary uprising is the only practical answer.

Bose wrote in his book, "While residing in England, I studied the plans of action by revolutionary leaders of various countries. Then I met Gandhiji and I wanted to know whether he had a clear, step-by-step plan for winning control of the Government." At this meeting, Netaji's plan of action to win freedom differed from Gandhiji's.

The main course of action of Gandhiji was non-cooperation, defying the rules and regulations set by the British government, boycotting and pressurizing the Government in a peaceful way. Subhash Bose did not completely believe that it was possible to win total freedom while the British transferred power. He believed that freedom must be won by taking revolutionary or military action.

Subhash Chandra was a revolutionary. He was connected with all the revolutionary groups of Bengal from the beginning of his political life. The seizing of weapons from the Chittagong armoury was a revolution supported by Bose. The revolutionary activities of Binoy-Badal-Dinesh were also supported by Subhash. For keeping the revolutionary activities alive and ongoing, he also supported some underground terrorist activities.

Chittagong armoury raid

During the initial stages of the First World War the British armed forces were defeated in many places. The British army was falling weak and was losing control. Netaji wanted to take advantage of this situation and launch a military attack on the British Raj during this time but the Gandhian leaders of the Indian National congress did not support such a military plan of action.

Bose wrote about his emotional feeling during this time, in an editorial named 'Wake up India'. "Months after months are going by. Our national leaders are talking and debating only. Nothing much is happening here. Denmark is under German control, and Norway and Holland(Netherlands) are under attack by the Germans. Many more surprising events are probably going to happen. People are talking about a possible attack by Japan on the east Indian islands (present day Indonesia). The Italian army is ready to wage war. The ministry  in London is unsure of its control of power. What is India doing?

How can India take advantage of this international situation of political disruption? Days are passing by, I am distressed and I feel like biting my own fingers. How to save India? There is chaos in Europe. Who can oppose the action of freeing thirty five crore Indians from the British Raj? Freedom is within our grasp. Now is the time to seize freedom from the British rulers.

Nera the end of the war when the Indian leaders agreed with Lord Wavell to partition India, Netaji opposed the idea of dividing India and his speech was aired from Rangoon. "There are no powerful forces in this world that can deny giving freedom to India at this time. If we can win support internationally, we can definitely come out as winners at the end of the war."

Azad Hind Fouz launched an attack on the British Indian army. Although defeated, the military attack of the battalion had a huge impact on India. In the months of November, December and January of 1945-1946 the naval section of the armed forces revolted in Bombay and Karachi. The Air Force protested and stopped functioning in Delhi, Calcutta and Jabalpur. The army protested in various parts of India. There was a student movement and protests by factory workers.

The Prime Minister of England, Mr. Clement Atlee said, "During that time of revolt and protest, we were sitting on top of a volcano."

Netaji was the first person to call Mahatma Gandhi, "the Father of the Nation". Netaji always respected and appreciated Gandhiji's method of non-violent protests. He acknowledged the methods of  'Satyagraha' and non-cooperation as great tools to winning freedom. Gandhiji showed a new pathway to the entire world. India would not be a free country without Gandhiji's leadership.

But the contribution of Azad Hind Fouz led by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, to winning India's freedom from the British must be acknowledged.

No historian can compile the history of India without acknowledging the contributions of both Gandhiji's 'Satyagraha' method and Netaji's military action. India won her freedom from the British rulers because both Gandhiji ad Netaji followed two great pathways to winning freedom.

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